Display system

ABSTRACT

A rotatable merchandise display provided with releasable interchangeable panels that may be arranged in a multiple of body configurations. The manner in which the display is assembled determines whether the body presents a triangular, hexagonal, square-shaped or other polygonal configuration. The variety of configurations thus attainable permits the display to be adapted to whatever space is available as well as to be adapted to the type of merchandise to be displayed.

111 1 Umted States atent 1191 1111 3,75,421

Wilkins 1 1 pt. 1973 I 1 DISPLAY SYSTEM 2,621,429 12 1952 Teich 211/53 x[75] inventor: Don E. Wilkins, Kansas City, Mo. gigs 5295a; [73 Assign;Mal-con Marketing Concepts 11m 3,524,616 8/1970 Marschak 211/177 X NorthKansas City, Mo. Primary ExaminerMarion Parsons, Jr. [22] 1971 AssistantExaminer-Thomas J. Holko [21] Appl. No.: 202,524 Attorney-Schmidt,Johnson & l-lovey [52] US. Cl. 211/163, 211/177 [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int.Cl. A171 5/02 A rotatable merchandise display provided with releas [58]Field of Search 211/163, 53, 56,

able 1nterchangeable panels that may be arranged 1n a 211/58, 70, 78,95,129, 131, 144, 177;

248/DIG 3 l 2 25 135 252 59 mult1p1e of body configuratlons. The manner1n wh1ch the display is assembled determines whether the body presents atriangular, hexagonal, square-shaped or [56] References Cited otherpolygonal configuration. The variety of configu- UNlTED STATES PATENTSrations thus attainable permits the display to be 3,425,566 2/1969Maziarka.... 211/163 X adapted to whatever space is available as well asto be 3 6/1921 Kilmef 21l/58 adapted to the type of merchandise to bedisplayed 838,294 4/l906 Zeiner 211/58 3,3l4,55l 4/1967 Plastow 2l l/l78R 10 Claims, 6 Drawing 1 111 PATENTEUSEP 4 I975 SHEET 1 BF 2 PATENTEDSEP4 ms SHEEI 2 BF 2 v lnJ M N. 4

DISPLAY SYSTEM This invention relates to a display for use in presentingfor sale merchandise such as cosmetics, notions, novelties and othersimilar items that are generally thought of as specialty items. It isdesirable to place these displays in areas of high foot traffic in aneffort to generate high volume impulse sales. The space available fordisplays of this type is generally very limited and that space which isavailable may vary because of the continual addition of new merchandise,thus creating the need for display assemblies of several different sizesor one that can be altered to fit the space available as well as beadapted to best present the article to be displayed.

Packaging of these kinds of merchandise may vary from one lot to thenext and therefore not always be of a uniform size or shape. Theirregularity of size and shape which is caused not only by packaging butalso by the changing merchandise causes a proliferation of displays thatmay be used for only a short time and then be discarded after themerchandise has been sold since displays are quite often designed for aparticular item of merchandise and are not adaptable for use with otheritems. The display of the present invention minimizes this need formultiple displays in that as requirements change, the display may beassembled in any one of a multitude of configurations adapted to thespace currently available as well as to the merchandise to be displayedthereby.

It is, therefore, an important object of the present invention toprovide a merchandise display that may be assembled in a configurationcompatible with the space available.

It is another important object of my invention to provide a display thatmay be readily adapted to present any number of different kinds ofmerchandise of various sizes and shapes.

It is yet another important object of my invention to provide a displaythat may be reduced in-size and capacity as the quantity of merchandiseto be displayed decreases, and conversely may be increased in size andcapacity if additional merchandise is to be displayed.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a display that may bequickly and easily assembled in any one of a number of configurationswithout the use of tools.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a display thatis versatile, yet presents a complete and attractive appearance.

In the drawings:

FIG. I is a side elevational view of a merchandise display made inaccordance with my present invention showing one of the bodyconfigurations obtained thereby;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, elevational view, some parts thereofbeing shown in section, certain parts having been removed for clarity;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view of one configuration, partsthereof being shown in section;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a second configuration, parts thereofbeing shown in section;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a third configuration, parts thereof beingshown in section; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, detailed sectional view showing theconnector joining two adjacent panels.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, a merchandise display, broadlydesignated by the numeral 10, is provided with a standard 12 having abase 14 and an elongated, upwardly extending pipe 116. Base 14 includesa plurality of legs 18 radiating outwardly and extending downwardlytherefrom. Two spaced apart, square-headed cross pins 20 provided withsquare nuts 22 intersect pipe 16, at right angles to one another and inspaced relationship along the length thereof. Standard 12 furtherincludes two flat annular steel discs 24, surrounding pipe 16 and twothrust bearings in the nature of circular nylon washers 26 whichlikewise surround pipe 16.

I-Iubs 28 rotatably carried on pipe 16 of standard 112 each include acircular plate 32 and a tube 34. Plate 32 is provided with a series ofequally spaced apart slots 36 positioned generally midway between thetube 34 and the outer peripheral edge of plate 32 in a circulararrangement. Hubs 28 further include a series of circumferentiallyspaced hanger elements 38 spaced outwardly from and surrounding standard12. Each element 38 includes a selectively removable, elongated arm 66radiating outwardly from hub 28 and a hook 39 at the outer peripheraledge of plate 32.

Arm 66 is provided with a downturned, offset tab 68 at one end thereofand an upwardly extending lip at its other end. Arm 66 is furtherprovided with reinforcing beads 74 formed longitudinally therealong andan aperture 72 transversely located near end tab 68.

A hollow body 40 made up of a plurality of separate, upright, elongatedpanels 42 circumscribes elements 38. Each of the panels 42 are identicaland are adapted to be suspended from elements 33 by a number of hangermembers 44 extending laterally toward standard 12 from side 46 of panel42. Hanger members 44 are each provided with an elongated slot 48 andare arranged in horizontally spaced apart, axial alignment with onemember 44 positioned midway between the vertical upright edges 50 ofpanel 42 and a second member 44 being positioned intermediate the firstmember and one of the edges 50. A second set of members 44 are locatedin spaced vertical alignment with the above mentioned members 44, thedistance therebetween corresponding to the distance between the twocross pins 20 on pipe 16.

Panel 42 comprisesa thermo-formed, high-impact polystyrene frame 52having a rectangular, perforated pegboard insert 54 on its outwardlyfacing side 56. Frame 52 is formed in such a manner that only the outerperiphery of insert 54 is in contact therewith, the latter thus being inan essentially spaced apart relationship to frame 52. Members 44 aresupported by elongated bars 58, (only one of which is shown), which arelocated transversely across side 46 of panel 42. Edges S0 of panel 42are J-shaped, the outer legs 62 of which terminate in laterallyextending flanges 64.

To assembly display 10 in the hexagonal configuration as shown in FIGS.1-3, the lower cross pin 20 is inserted through pipe 116 and held inplace by its corresponding nut 22. Pin 26 and nut 22 are tightened onlyto the extent that they are maintained in a position whereby the squarehead 2H and square nut 22 each present a horizontally flat surface toreceive and support disc 24 which in turn carries washer 26, the lattertwo having been slipped over the free upper end of pipe 16. Hub 28 islikewise passed over the upper end of pipe 16 and permitted to rest onwasher 26 which serves as a thrust bearing for the rotating hub 26.

The attachment of each of arms 66 to hub 28 is then accomplished bypassing tab 68 through its respective slot 36 in such a manner that tab68 engages the underside 76 of plate 32, aperture 72 permitting arm 66to clear hook 39. Arms 66 are thereby supported in a cantileveredfashion by plate 32. A second set of components as just above mentionedare subsequently assembled above the first set as best shown in FIG. 3.

A panel 42 is now suspended from each pair of vertically spaced apartarms 66, utilizing the centrally positioned members 44 to form a body 40having a transverse hexagonal configuration. The lips 70 of thevertically spaced apart arms 66 interlock with the corresponding slots48 in the vertically spaced apart members 44.

Releasable means in the nature of elongated connector strips 78, eachhaving a pair of spaced apart, backto-back grooved moldings 82joinedtogether by a flexible web 84, interconnect the juxtaposed, verticaledges 50 after the panels 42 have been arranged in the above mentionedconfiguration, the body 40 now completely surrounding the standard 12,hubs 28 and arms 66 thus completing the assembly of display I0. Channels86 in moldings 82 cooperate with the legs 62 and flanges 64 of edges 50to provide a positive connection therebetween. The extrudedpolypropylene strip 78 along with the polystyrene frame 52 provides alightweight yet strong body 40. Strips 78 further serve to tie thepanels 42 together and thus make the entire body 40 more stable.

Once the assembly has been completed the merchandise to be displayed maybe attached to the panels 42 by means of any type fastener (not shown)suitable for use with the pegboard insert 54.

Referring now to FIG. 4, body 40 may be arranged in a transverselytriangular configuration simply by removing the strips 78, panels 42from arms 66 and the latter from hubs 28 and suspending three panels 42directly from two hubs 28, hooks 39 of elements 38 receiving members 44.It is to be noted that the vertically spaced apart members 44 locatedmidway between edges 50 are utilized to arrange this secondconfiguration. Strips 78 again provide the interconnection be tween thepanels 42, the flexibility of web 84 permitting the sharper bendrequired to engage the adjacent edges 50.

In FIG. there is presented an arrangement of panels 42 in yet a thirdbody 40 configuration. Body 40 here forms a hollow, polygonal,hub-receiving body interior 86 with each panel 42 extending outwardlybeyond the interior 86. As in FIG. 4, arms 66 have been removed and inthis case four panels 42 have been suspended directly from hubs 28 usingthe two vertically spaced apart members 44 situated nearest edge 50. Theorientation of the panels 42 relative to one another is now such thatthe edge 50 nearest the hanger members 44 by which each panel 42 issuspended is in abutment with and normal to side 46 of the next adjacentpanel 42. Note that strips 78 are not used when body 40 is arranged inthis configuration. If desired, a beading 88 of some type may be affixedto flange 64 of edge 50 to provide a filler between the two panels.

While only three body configurations are shown and described it is to beunderstood that other configurations may be made depending upon themanner in which the hanger elements 38, hanger members 44 and arms 66are arranged with respect to one another.

The ability to make a display 10 having a relatively large body 40, suchas the hexagonal configuration of FIG. 3, permits a large quantityofitems to be displayed and can be used in areas not restricted in spaceavailable. On the other hand, as the quantity of merchandise on display10 becomes less because of sales the display may be reduced in size asshown in the configurations presented in FIGS. 4 and 5. Additionally,the triangular configuration of body 40 is ideal if the display 10 is tobe used in an area where the space is limited, such as in a corner,the-end of a counter or the like.

The merchandise display, by virtue of its interchangeable panels 42 andthe way in which they are adapted for suspension from any one of aselected number of hanger elements 38, is not only adaptable in size andconfiguration to the space available but is also adaptable to displayany number of articles of merchandise that may be attached thereto. Thedisplay 10 has the unique capability of being adapted in size andconfiguration to be used in conjunction with many different kinds ofarticles of merchandise and not be limited to any one particular item.The versatility, therefore, precludes the need for having displays ofseveral different sizes and configurations on hand that are used onlyoccasionally and suitable for use only with items for which they werespecially designed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A merchandise display comprising:

a standard;

a hub rotatably mounted on said standard;

a series of circumferentially spaced hanger elements on said hub spacedoutwardly from and surrounding the standard;

a hollow body assembly circumscribing said elements and including aplurality of separate upright panels; and

a number of hanger members on each panel respectively,

each member being adapted for suspension from any selected one of saidhanger elements,

said members being disposed for selective arrangement of the panels intoany one of a plurality of predetermined body assemblies having differinghorizontally transverse cross-sectional configurations.

2. A display as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arrangement of thepanels in one of said body assemblies presents a triangular,horizontally transverse, crosssectional configuration, the elements andthe corresponding members having a releasable hook-like interlockbetween the panels and the hub.

3. A display as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arrangement of thepanels in one of said body assemblies presents a horizontallytransverse, cross-sectional configuration having a hollow, polygonal,hub-receiving body interior with each panel extending outwardly beyondsaid interior.

4. A display as claimed in claim I, wherein each element includes an armradiating from the hub for arranging the panels to present a bodyassembly having one of said horizontally transverse, cross-sectionalconfigurations.

5. A display as claimed in claim 4, wherein is provided an attachment tothe hub for each arm respectively, said attachments being releasable forremoval of the arms from the hub when the panels are to be arranged intobody assemblies presenting horizontally transverse, cross-sectionalconfigurations other than said one configuration.

6. A display as claimed in claim 5 wherein each attachment has a hook onthe hub adapted to receive the members when the arms are removed fromthe hub.

7. A display as claimed in claim 6, wherein the arrangement of panels ina second of said body assemblies presents a horizontally transverse,cross-sectional configuration having a hollow, hub-receiving bodyinterior with each panel extending outwardly beyond said interior whenthe arms are removed from the hub and the hooks receive the members.

8. A display as claimed in claim 6, wherein the arrangement of thepanels in a second of said body assemblies presents a triangular,horizontally transverse cross-sectional configuration when the arms areremoved from the hub and the hooks receive the members.

9. A display as claimed in claim 8, wherein the arrangement of thepanels in a third of said body assemblies presents a horizontallytransverse, cross-sectional configuration having a hollow, hub-receivingbody interior with each panel extending outwardly beyond said interior.

10. A display as claimed in claim 9, wherein is provided a pair ofmembers on each panel respectively, one member suspending its panel whenthe body assembly has said one horizontally transverse, crosssectionalconfiguration and said second horizontally transverse, cross-sectionalconfiguration, the other member suspending its panel when the bodyassembly is presented in said third horizontally transverse,crosssectional configuration.

1. A merchandise display comprising: a standard; a hub rotatably mountedon said standard; a series of circumferentially spaced hanger elementson said hub spaced outwardly from and surrounding the standard; a hollowbody assembly circumscribing said elements and including a plurality ofseparate upright panels; and a number of hanger members on each panelrespectively, each member being adapted for suspension from any selectedone of said hanger elements, said members being disposed for selectivearrangement of the panels into any one of a plurality of predeterminedbody assemblies having differing horizontally transverse crosssectionalconfigurations.
 2. A display as claimed in claim 1, wherein thearrangement of the panels in one of said body assemblies presents atriangular, horizontally transverse, cross-sectional configuration, theelements and the corresponding members having a releasable hook-likeinterlock between the panels and the hub.
 3. A display as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the arrangement of the panels in one of said bodyassemblies presents a horizontally transverse, cross-sectionalconfiguration having a hollow, polygonal, hub-receiving body interiorwith each panel extending outwardly beyond said interior.
 4. A displayas claimed in claim 1, wherein each element includes an arm radiatingfrom the hub for arranging the panels to present a body assembly havingone of said horizontally transverse, cross-sectional configurations. 5.A display as claimed in claim 4, wherein is provided an attachment tothe hub for each arm respectively, said attachments being releasable forremoval of the arms from the hub when the panels are to be arranged intobody assemblies presenting horizontally transverse, cross-sectionalconfigurations other than said one configuration.
 6. A display asclaimed in claim 5 wherein each attachment has a hook on the hub adaptedto receive the members when the arms are removed from the hub.
 7. Adisplay as claimed in claim 6, wherein the arrangement of panels in asecond of said body assemblies presents a horizontally transverse,cross-sectional configuration having a hollow, hub-receiving bodyinterior with each panel extending outwardly beyond said interior whenthe arms are removed from the hub and the hooks receive the members. 8.A display as claimed in claim 6, wherein the arrangement of the panelsin a second of said body assemblies presents a triangular, horizontallytransverse cross-sectional configuration when the arms are removed fromthe hub and the hooks receive the members.
 9. A display as claimed inclaim 8, wherein the arrangement of the panels in a third of said bodyassemblies presents a horizontally transverse, cross-sectionalconfiguration having a hollow, hub-receiving body interior with eachpanel extending outwardly beyond said interior.
 10. A display as claimedin claim 9, wherein is provided a pair of members on each panelrespectively, one member suspending its panel when the body assembly hassaid one horizontally transverse, cross-sectional configuration and saidsecond horizontally transverse, cross-sectional configuration, thE othermember suspending its panel when the body assembly is presented in saidthird horizontally transverse, cross-sectional configuration.